Oxfam and Rehab Recycle create Born Again computers

Businesses in the Republic of Ireland are being urged to recycle their computers to raise money for international development charity Oxfam, who have teamed up with recycling company Rehab Recycle.

Together, they’ve launched an initiative called Born Again Computers, selling refurbished PCs in Oxfam charity shops in Ireland. The majority of the computers come from Irish businesses which either donate them or are paid a fee by Rehab Recycle

Martin Reddy, the Commercial Manager at Rehab Recycle, says: “The equipment the companies provide is generally of a higher specification – and that’s what you see on sale in Oxfam.”

New business model

Rehab Recycle staff in centres in Ireland, the UK, the Netherlands and Poland include people with disabilities who strip computers of old data and check for damage. The computers are then sold in Oxfam shops for around €120 for a desktop PC and €150 for a laptop.

“Born Again Computers is a new business model for our retail network,” says Trevor Anderson, Director of Retail for Oxfam Ireland. “The PCs are high quality and affordable, and give new customers a reason to come into our shops.”